Enzymatic Synthesis of (R)-Flurbiprofen

(alpha)-Methyl-(alpha)-(2-fluoro-4-biphenylyl)propionic acid (flurbiprofen) was prepared from the corresponding malonic acid derivative via asymmetric decarboxylation catalyzed by an enzyme, arylmalonate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.76), in high chemical and optical yields.